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Chambers says lawsuit against God has a point

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By JOSH FUNK / The Associated Press

Tuesday, Aug 05, 2008 - 06:56:52 pm CDT

OMAHA — State Sen. Ernie Chambers says his lawsuit against God might seem funny, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a serious point.

Chambers asked Douglas County District Judge Marlon Polk on Tuesday to let his lawsuit proceed. Chambers said he wants to make the point that everyone should have access to the courts regardless of whether they are poor or have the means of billionaire Warren Buffett of Omaha.

“What brought me to the point of filing this lawsuit was the ill-advised attempts by certain legislators to prevent the filing of certain lawsuits,’’ Chambers said.

Story Photo
Ernie Chambers (LJS file)

Polk said he would consider the issue and rule later.

Chambers acknowledges using wit and humor in the lawsuit he filed last September seeking a permanent injunction against God. Chambers said God has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents in Omaha, inspired fear and caused “widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth’s inhabitants.’’

The court told Chambers last week that his lawsuit may be dismissed because he had failed to serve notice on God. Chambers acknowledged that failure in court Tuesday while sitting a few feet away from an empty table reserved for God and God’s attorney.

“Despite my most sincere, zealous efforts, I could not find a location to serve the defendant,’’ Chambers said.

But Chambers asked Polk to take official notice of God, and the Almighty’s omniscience and omnipresence.

Chambers argued that courts and the U.S. government already routinely take notice of God. Courts swear in witnesses with an oath that includes the phrase “so help me God.’’ Plus, the pledge of allegiance describes “one nation, under God,’’ and U.S. currency proclaims “In God We Trust.’’

And the senator said that if the court recognizes God, the deity wouldn’t need formal notice of the lawsuit because he knows everything. And God would be at every hearing because he’s everywhere always.

A senator for 38 years, Chambers skips morning prayers during the legislative session and often criticizes Christians. He is being pushed out of the Legislature by term limits.

Chambers said he appreciates the difficult position Judge Polk is in because of the unique nature of the case, but he hopes the lawsuit will be allowed to proceed.

“Your honor, I do not envy your position,’’ Chambers said.


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Thanks Ernie wrote on August 5, 2008 7:33 am:
" Thanks for wasting the taxpayers money. How ridiculous! "

 WASTED TIME ENGERY wrote on August 5, 2008 7:36 am:
" What a hugh watse of our court system and manpower. Although I do agree with Ernie that a point needs to be prove the point that anyone can sue anyone, but a better way to stop this waste is start reviewing cases andjust plain tell people your court case is booted out and charge them the cost of reviewing the case. If the people that try and sue for anything and everything had to pay some of the costs this nonsense would stop. "

 Laars wrote on August 5, 2008 7:40 am:
" What a complete waste of time and money. This is an absolute joke!! I for one can not wait till Chambers goes bye bye "

 Don wrote on August 5, 2008 7:50 am:
" Ernie, be prepared. God will be there. "

 George Burns wrote on August 5, 2008 7:52 am:
" Wouldnt it be awesome if George Burns walked into theis hearing? Those of you too young to know what I am talking about, rent the movie Oh God! and you will get it. "

 Sue F. wrote on August 5, 2008 7:53 am:
" Am I the only one who thinks George Burns may show up in Court? "

 Ernie Supporter wrote on August 5, 2008 8:14 am:
" I support Ernie. He was the counter weight in legislature. What you call a complete waste of time and money, I call proving a point. People will sue no matter how small the dispute. "

 SB wrote on August 5, 2008 8:16 am:
" Thanks for opening our eyes to ridiculousness we’ve created. "

 Your Right Laars wrote on August 5, 2008 8:29 am:
" It is a joke and Ernie is telling it. Glad you caught on. "

 dj wrote on August 5, 2008 8:44 am:
" I say let them go to court but who ever loses should have to pay all the fees of the opposing side. "

 Tired of Chambers wrote on August 5, 2008 8:48 am:
" Ernie, why don't you quit wasting tax payers money and find another way to solve this issue. Again, you are just trying to get your face in the public eye again. Trust me, we've seen enough of it. You need to GET A LIFE. "

 Eric wrote on August 5, 2008 8:51 am:
" If God doesn't show up for His court date, will a warrant be issued? He is quite busy, you know. Although, I would think that He would make a point of showing up to defend Himself in a courtroom that swears on His word in a country that trusts in Him (it's right there on our money, after all). I really don't think it is asking that much, especially if my kids are supposed to pledge allegiance to one nation under Him. "

 Kevin wrote on August 5, 2008 9:10 am:
" Two years ago the WWE had a storyline involving God, setting up a
pay-per-view match Vince and his son, Shane McMahon vs Shawn Michaels and God. That is just about as dumb as a lawsuit against God. Challenging God in a wrestling ring or in a court of law, it is to laugh. "

 God wrote on August 5, 2008 9:16 am:
" I will be there.... "

 wes wrote on August 5, 2008 9:45 am:
" If you dont like one nation under God,move to Iraq or Iran they would love to have you. "

 AG wrote on August 5, 2008 9:45 am:
" Since George Burns left us 12 years ago, I think it's more likely that Morgan Freeman will show up... "

 Moses wrote on August 5, 2008 11:18 am:
" your logic is backward. If you want God in your goverment, you have to look no further than the Middle East where "God" is oozing out of all the governments there. That's not what America is about. We need to separate church and state. "

 jeff wrote on August 5, 2008 8:16 pm:
" It might very well be a waste of the tax payer system....but it is just a drop in the bucket compared to the junk the courts get tangled up with. I also think it proves an important point...we need to really try harder to stick to the aspect of seperation between the church and the state. It doesn't mean that anyone will lose any right to worship whatever they want...but religion can cloud reality when it comes to politics and the state in general...there are numerous examples of that all over the world today.. "

 Mindless Robot wrote on August 5, 2008 8:41 pm:
" " If you dont like one nation under God,move to Iraq or Iran they would love to have you. "

That's what they already have. How's that working out for them?


Once again it's very clear that Mr. Chambers is far to intelligent and clever to live in Nebraska. "

 To Mindless Robot wrote on August 6, 2008 1:36 am:
" Ahhh... but it is because of Mr. Chambers' intelligence that Nebraska so desperately needs him. Can you even imagine how backwards the state would be if he has not been a point of reason all of these years? Now that Mr. Chambers has been forced out of a job that the voters obviously have wanted him in (and I am not talking about the voters of the term limits, but the voters of his district), I am very glad to be moving to Iowa. People other than white male Christians actually have rights there. "

 just wondering wrote on August 6, 2008 2:07 am:
" so when God show's up to court because He WILL be there, will they swear Him in and He'll have to say " so help Me Me?" "

 john q wrote on August 6, 2008 6:22 am:
" Ernie, do you believe in God, if you don't how can you sue him. I think Ernie need to pay all cost associated with this lawsuit "

 Alan wrote on August 6, 2008 12:11 pm:
" Isn't his 15 minutes up yet? "

 Rys wrote on August 6, 2008 1:31 pm:
" how do you sue something that doesn't exist? "

 MarkyMark wrote on August 6, 2008 6:14 pm:
" Ernie had not 15 minutes of fame, but 26 years or so. Sad thing is, most of the hick, hayseeds that complain about Ernie, wouldn't have even noticed him had he been white. "

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